S.C. State Guard participates in hurricane planning exercise
June 12, 2012
By W. Thomas Smith Jr.
June 7, 2012
CHARLESTON, SC – The S.C. State Guard participated in a post-landfall hurricane logistics exercise at the North Charleston Coliseum in N. Charleston, Thursday.
Sponsored by the S.C. Emergency Management Division, the exercise involved federal, state and county agencies and private sector vendors. It was designed to review logistical procedures currently in place and test coordination among participating agencies in the event S.C. is hit by a Category 3 or higher tropical storm or hurricane.
Members of S.C.’s State Guard are volunteers who react fast whenever communities are hit with major emergencies, said Richard Eckstrom, commanding general of the S.C. State Guard. We’re early responders. We work with law enforcement, the National Guard and community officials to stabilize volatile situations to preserve life and property.
Eckstrom added, These exercises demonstrate the need for coordination among state and federal resources. I am pleased with the outcome of this exercise, and the State Guard will stand ready to provide critical assistance.
Exercise participants discussed everything from resource staging, to distribution facilities, aerial-supply operations and expected federal assistance.
